Let's talk about knife sharpening

Xpedition Outfitters

Xpedition Outfitters

Adventurist
I know I can't be the only one with a dull blade. I wanted to see what everyone was using to sharpen their knives.

Here are couple of mine that could use some love.. The one on top is a extreme ratio fulcrum 2 knife that I have had for over 6 years. I have abused this knife and it has performed solidly. The hardest part of this knife is that the blade is 1/4" thick. In the past I have had to send it out to get professionally sharpened but prefer to do it in house now.

The second is my Jr's knife. It's sharp but nowhere near what it was when I first got it. I want to restore it back to its formal glory....

Thoughts?

f623e252981585b165014a342866de3d.jpg

-Raul

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
 
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I use the EZE Lap diamond rod sharpener. I used a friends once and was hooked. I rarely use anything else. It also does my stainless Randall fairly easily.

When working, I use and often trash the edge of several knives some days. The diamond hone can tune them all up in a few minutes, and can re-set a bevel if need be. I generally keep all mine shaving sharp most of the time.

http://www.amazon.com/EZE-LAP-4-Inch-Diamond-Sharpener-Handle/dp/B000UVNT8Y
 
Malamute said:
I use the EZE Lap diamond rod sharpener. I used a friends once and was hooked. I rarely use anything else. It also does my stainless Randall fairly easily.

When working, I use and often trash the edge of several knives some days. The diamond hone can tune them all up in a few minutes, and can re-set a bevel if need be. I generally keep all mine shaving sharp most of the time.

http://www.amazon.com/EZE-LAP-4-Inch-Diamond-Sharpener-Handle/dp/B000UVNT8Y
Click to expand...

I use the same EZE Lap too, but I have 2 - one for the road and one in the kitchen knife drawer.

If I want to put a quality edge on something or have a really destroyed blade I use the Lansky kit.

http://lansky.com/index.php/products/universal-system/

LKCPR.jpg
 
I have been using the lansky system. Not the fastest, but dead simple to use, holds the angle you choose, and is giving good results. You can try it out next time we camp if you remind me to bring it
 
Talking about sharpening blades will bring just as many opinions and options as talking about blades themselves. The diamond options on the market are great because they last so long (forever), but I learned to sharpen on a traditional Norton water stone and still prefer them. My father in law was a butcher by profession and sharpened all his knives on Norton stones. Since retiring he has moved to using a cheap diamond sharpener from Ace hardware because he says it's faster and his EDC blade doesn't need to be sharpened the way his professional knives did. YMMV. Norton Water stone or a Norton Arkansas stone would be my recommendation. Hone with leather afterward and then edge against glass when possible

Dave said:
Y'all city boys is funny with your gadgets
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Agreed!
:home
 
Ah geez... all you "old timers" coming out of the woodwork. Next you'll be telling us how you prefer your musket with powder, patch, and ball over them new-fangled cartridges and auto-loading rifles. Never believed in that "indoor plumbing" either, I suppose. :rolleyes: :stir
 
Well, I know those were issue items when YOU went to boot camp but I prefer my gas operated rifles.

:tango
 
Dave said:
Well, I know those were issue items when YOU went to boot camp but I prefer my gas operated rifles.

:tango
Click to expand...

Just a reminder, you ain't that big you still can't get bitch-slapped. I got that crazy old-man strength going for me from the hypertension, and with the 'betes I can't feel nothing anyway. :boxing

And for the record - I originally qualified on the M1911 Pistol, M14 Rifle, and M7 Bayonet. So there.
 
I use my Grandpa Salsgiver's old whetstone. A bit of spit, some quick swipes and the old skinning steel is ready to go. Ain't much for short cuts or for the new methods as the old way is so quick once you develop the technique.


And yes I prefer my old patch and ball rifle (not smoothbore) over any gas operated hipster rifle. :mike
 
I take my spyderco up to the factory and let them go at it on time. Speaking of that I should stop by next week and let him have a go
 
I bought the lansky kit pictured above. It is really simple. It works best at home with a bench vice.
 
I've got one of these little Lansky's. Seems to work alright, though my Kershaw Ken Onion Leek is almost never sharp anymore.

How long should a feller expect to sit down with something like this to restore a blade to its former glory?

IMG_20160502_182326.jpg
 
If you're not able to sharpen knives with a stone/strop. The Lansky kit is an excellent inexpensive alternative. However it does take some time to develop a good technique.

The problem when resharpening/maintaining many people tend to role/round off the cutting edge making it duller than when they started and fattening the bevel making it extremely difficult to get a good cutting edge back.

Using the Lansky it can take an 1hr maybe longer depending on the degree you are wanting to restore the cutting edge to. Starting with the 60grit working one side till you develop a burr, then repeating on the other side. Continuing through the grits. Marking the cutting edge with a sharpie does help to allow you to see as you remove material.
Once you have worked you way to the final grit you finalize by stropping, developing the mirror finish/hair popping sharpness being careful not to role the knife which will round the cutting edge. You drag the edge, not sweep.

I would talk to JR. and send it back to him so he could -restore it back to its formal glory.... ;);)

Xpedition Outfitters said:
I know I can't be the only one with a dull blade. I wanted to see what everyone was using to sharpen their knives.

Here are couple of mine that could use some love.. The one on top is a extreme ratio fulcrum 2 knife that I have had for over 6 years. I have abused this knife and it has performed solidly. The hardest part of this knife is that the blade is 1/4" thick. In the past I have had to send it out to get professionally sharpened but prefer to do it in house now.

The second is my Jr's knife. It's sharp but nowhere near what it was when I first got it. I want to restore it back to its formal glory....

Thoughts?

f623e252981585b165014a342866de3d.jpg

-Raul

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
 
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